Our People

The Materials Science Centre is comprised of over 200 world-leading academics with extensive expertise in both research and industry engagement across our research themes.

Director of Materials Science Lancaster

Professor Benjamin Robinson

Benjamin Robinson is based in the Physics Department at Lancaster University where he is a Professor of Physics and the Director of the Materials Science at Lancaster (MSL) research centre. His research group is focused on experimental quantum nanotechnology, with a particularly focus on exploiting room temperature quantum effects in ultra-thin films comprised of well-ordered organic molecular films, quantum dots and 2D materials. To achieve this, he has a track record in developing and exploiting novel scanning probe methodologies for nanoscale characterisation of electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. Ben has authored ~60 peer reviewed journal articles and secured over £12M in research funding including ~£4M as PI. He is a past winner of Royal Society of Chemistry, Philip Lynn Adams memorial prize and was from 2017 to 2025 was Director of Materials Development for Lancaster University spin-out company QuantumBase which was successfully listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2025.

View Ben's profile for further information about his research interests.

Professor Benjamin Robinson

Theme Leads

John Hardy

Dr John Hardy

Senior Lecturer in Materials Chemistry

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Samuel Jarvis

Dr Samuel Jarvis

Senior Lecturer in Nanoscale Materials Characterisation

Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, Molecular Scale Electronics, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Quantum Nanotechnology, Quantum Technology Centre

Kathryn Toghill

Professor Kathryn Toghill

Professor in Sustainable Electrochemistry and Energy Materials

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, FST Sustainability Advisory Committee, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

B019, B - Floor, Chemistry Building